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Computer and power management system for computer

  • US 8,880,922 B2
  • Filed: 03/05/2009
  • Issued: 11/04/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2009
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A computer comprising:

  • a processor having a normal mode that operates at a first frequency and a power-saving mode that operates at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency;

    a power-saving control unit;

    a power sensor unit that measures power consumption; and

    a path for supplying an interrupt signal from the power sensor unit to the power-saving control unit, whereinthe power sensor unit compares a power consumption upper limit value defined by the power-saving control unit with measured power consumption, and outputs the interrupt signal directly to the processor and to the power-saving control unit if the measured power consumption exceeds the power consumption upper limit value,when the interrupt signal is inputted, the power saving control unit outputs to the processor a signal that is equivalent to the interrupt signal and outputs to the power sensor unit an instruction to the power sensor unit to deactivate the interrupt signal;

    when the interrupt signal or the signal that is equivalent to the interrupt signal is inputted, the processor switches from the normal mode to the power-saving mode, the power sensor unit;

    once the outputting of the interrupt signal is deactivated by the instruction to deactivate the interrupt signal, compares the power consumption upper limit value with a power consumption measured after outputting the interrupt signal;

    if the power consumption measured after outputting the interrupt signal exceeds the power consumption upper limit value, re-outputs the interrupt signal to the processor and to the power-saving control unit;

    if the power consumption measured after outputting the interrupt signal is at or below the power consumption upper limit value, does not re-output the interrupt signal to the processor and to the power-saving control unit; and

    the power-saving control unit, if the interrupt signal is not re-inputted from the power sensor unit after the instruction to deactivate the interrupt signal, deactivates the signal that is equivalent to the interrupt signal.

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